Dr Nick Paling

Nick is the Head of GIS, Evidence & Communications at the Westcountry Rivers Trust and his team provides data, mapping & modelling support for all Trust and consultancy projects. Nick is an applied ecologist and conservation biologist with 10 years of experience using spatial techniques to inform conservation strategy and environmental management. He is an advanced user of ESRI’s ArcGIS Desktop software and a number of other GIS applications and is highly experienced in spatial data creation and management, spatial analysis, 3D analysis and the mapping of spatial data and strategic information. Nick is a highly experienced trainer, lecturer and communicator. Having originally taught GIS for Wildlife Managers at the University of Reading for 4 years, between 2008 and 2010 he was the National GIS Training Lead for the Environment Agency, working to develop and improve their unique series of in-house GIS training courses. Since 2010, he has collaborated with the University of Reading to deliver a 5-day intensive GIS course for ecologists and conservation practitioners and has begun to develop more bespoke training for several other organisations (SFCC, Eden Rivers Trust, Essex Wildlife Trust, CaBA hosts).

Sarah Wigley

Sean Dugan

Michelle Walker

Michelle is the Head of GIS & Data Management at The Rivers Trust and is also a highly skilled user of spatial data and evidence in catchment management. Michelle currently leads several Catchment-Based Approach support packages, including the GIS and mapping package, the online catchment mapping portal and the Catchment Data User Group support package. She has been working with The Rivers Trust since 2010, developing and coordinating the use of data and evidence among the rivers trusts in England & Wales. She provides direct GIS and data management support to emerging trusts, promotes awareness and access to data and software, and coordinates wider access to government data for rivers trusts and CaBA partnerships. She also co-chairs the Catchment Data User Group with the Environment Agency. Michelle juggles her role with looking after two young daughters, and in her spare time she also volunteers for her local Bristol Avon Rivers Trust.